Living Aboard 101

Living aboard a boat brings to mind an array of images: endless summer, simpler living, or salty dogs and grand adventure. In everyday life, most live-aboards never venture near high seas. Some never leave the dock. Though some do get up and sail away, most simply want to break from the ordinary for a while.

By Mary Swift SwanPublished: July, 2005

Living aboard a boat brings to mind an array of images: endless summer, simpler living, or salty dogs and grand adventure. In everyday life, most live-aboards never venture near high seas. Some never leave the dock. Though some do get up and sail away, most simply want to break from the ordinary for a while.

What constitutes living aboard for the San Francisco Bay? We sought the official answer from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) resident expert on this subject, Steve Mc Adam. He provided the definitions (see What’s a Live-aboard?).

The Bay is some 30% smaller than before the Gold Rush due to the salt ponds, agricultural runoff, gravel washing and plain filling in of the bay to make way for development. BCDC is charged with the tricky task of encouraging sensible development, while conserving what is left of the Bay.

Currently, BCDC recognizes the following as approved Houseboat Harbors: Mission Creek Marina in San Francisco, three houseboat marinas in Sausalito, one in Alameda, plus, a few stand-alone houseboats in Berkeley and other marinas around the Bay Area. Redwood City has a designated houseboat marina but is outside of BCDC jurisdiction, as are several in the Delta.

Galilee Harbor in Sausalito sued BCDC several years demanding official recognition; a settlement was reached calling for improvements that may lead to recognition. McAdams said, There have been many proposals for new similar marinas, but most are dropped due to economic hurdles.

As for live-aboards, of the 50-plus marinas falling under BCDC’s jurisdiction, nearly half have successfully petitioned for live-aboards permits. Put another way, of over 14,000 Bay boat slips, just over 600 are authorized to allow live-aboards.

There are pros and cons for marinas when it comes to live-aboards. On the plus side, live-aboards function as eyes and ears, improving security and safety. On the other hand, less desirable live-aboards can create unsightly conditions and gamey behavior issues.

A brewing point of contention for live-aboards has to do with pets, which may lead to new regulations. Seems some live-aboards pets are not cared for properly, and one individual stepped in the poo too many times. Angry letters have been fired off and marinas may soon be required to provide pet facilities such as a dog park or plastic bags on posts at each row of boats within the marina for clean up. Kicking the poo into the water is not good. Cat feces has been linked to death and disease of sea otters.

Traditional bikes are another bone of contention. Folding bikes kept aboard work out great, but regular bikes are a dockside hazard and can be unsightly.

What’s a Live-aboard?

A live-aboard is a person whose only residence is on a vessel, whether it be within a marina or anchored out. By definition a live-aboard vessel is capable of self propulsion-navigation.

a) Those with legitimate residences on land, who stay on their boat, for short or long periods of time, are not defined as live-aboards by BCDC.

b) Permitted live-aboard marinas are limited to a maximum of 10% live-aboards.

c) All Bay marinas have a few live-aboards. Often the Harbor Master is one of the few.

d) Live-Aboards are not considered fill.

Houseboats fall under the category of fill. A houseboat is defined as a vessel or construct for residential use that cannot navigate under its own power, be it derelict or by construction. e) Residential uses on fill are not permissible in the Bay other than in recognized facilities. f) Houseboats are not authorized for anchor in Richardson Bay, only live-aboards are.

For more information on living aboard locally, visit BCDC’s website at www.bcdc.ca.gov. For more information on living-aboard around the country, pick up Living Aboard magazine, or visit the website www.livingaboard.com.

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